Treatments for a sore throat

take ibuprofen or paracetamol – paracetamol is better for children and for people who can’t take ibuprofen (note that children under 16 should never take aspirin)

drink plenty of cool or warm fluids, and avoid very hot drinks

eat cool, soft foods

avoid smoking and smoky places

adults can try gargling with a homemade mouthwash of warm, salty water (not recommended for children)

suck lozenges, hard sweets, ice cubes or ice lollies – but don’t give young children anything small and hard to suck because of the risk of choking

There are also products such as medicated lozenges and sprays sold in pharmacies that you may want to try. There isn’t much scientific evidence to suggest they help, although some people find them worth using.

Antibiotics aren’t usually prescribed for a sore throat, even if it’s caused by a bacterial infection, as they’re unlikely to make you feel better any quicker and they can have unpleasant side effects.

Causes of a sore throat

The cause of a sore throat isn’t always obvious. But in most cases it’s a symptom of a viral or bacterial infection.

Common causes

A sore throat is often a symptom of:

colds or flu – you may also have a blocked or runny nose, a cough, a high temperature (fever), a headache and general aches

laryngitis(inflammation of the voice box) – you may also have a hoarse voice, a dry cough and a constant need to clear your throat

tonsillitis(inflammation of the tonsils) – you may also have red or spotty tonsils, discomfort when swallowing and a fever

strep throat (a bacterial throat infection) – you may also have swollen glands in your neck, discomfort when swallowing and tonsillitis

glandular fever – you may also feel very tired and have a fever and swollen glands in your neck

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